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Regional Update: Crop Progress and Update for June 5 to June 13 2018

June 13, 2018 11:45 AM

Blog Post

While parts of Iowa are too wet and have experienced hail, wind, and flooding over the past week other parts of the state could desperately benefit from some rainfall. Despite the drastic differences in moisture levels across the state, according to Monday’s USDA Crop Progress Report, approximately 81% of Iowa’s corn crop was rated in the good to excellent condition and 78% of the soybean crop was rated in the good to excellent condition. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists report planting progress and crop conditions in their respected regions.

Northwest Iowa

Joel DeJong (Region 1): “The NW corner of Iowa did not receive excessive amounts of rain in the last week, but most of the area received at least some rainfall. It's been several years since I remember knee high corn on the fourth of June, but we had several of the early planted fields that tall this year. Even the late planted cornfields look to be off and growing now. We are starting to see cornfields with scattered white leaves coming out of the whorl. This is due to what's called rapid growth syndrome. The corn is growing so rapidly it gets tied up in the whorl for a short time before it suddenly unwraps and exposes those lighter colored leaves. They will return to normal color shortly. I've been in several fields in the past week with some stress from herbicide carry-over after the dry summer last year and a few with herbicide drift damage. I've even seen one with dicamba drift onto a soybean field. A good reminder to know what your neighbor has in their field, and apply safely!”

Paul Kassel (Region 2): “Field work progress has caught up across much of my area – for the most part. There were still some soybeans being planting last week in the wet areas of Kossuth and Palo Alto counties. There is some tremendous looking corn and soybean crops in all of my area. A recent trip to Sac County showed some corn at V8 stage and soybeans at the V3 growth stage. In general, the corn that was planted around May 25 is now at the V4 growth stage. While parts of my area of been wet, there are parts of my area – in Sac and Buena Vista counties for example – that are on the dry side and could use a rain.”

Soybeans emerge from a fall seeded rye cover crop in Clay county recently treated with glyphosate and Engenia. Photo by Paul Kassel.

Northeast Iowa

Terry Basol (Region 4): “Corn and soybeans in NE Iowa are coming along nicely, generally speaking. Corn ranges from about V4 all the way up to V7-V8 with row closure. The nodal root system has now become the primary system for nutrient and water uptake, which has allowed the plant to reach the deeper nitrogen and exhibit the dark green color that we’re seeing across the fields. Rapid growth syndrome in corn is also showing up in NE Iowa due to conducive growing conditions with recent rainfall and warm temperatures. Soybeans range from V1 up to R1 in the earliest planted fields in the southern part of the territory. Essentially, soybean planting is completed in NE Iowa, with 95% of the acres planted, according to the most recent Iowa Crop Progress & Condition report by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). First cutting of hay and/or alfalfa is primarily finished as well. As seen by the map below of observed precipitation over the last seven days, NE Iowa has received ample amounts of rainfall, with some isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches of rain Saturday evening causing flash flooding, and washouts. Accompanied with the rain, were strong winds (75-80 mph.) and hail in areas causing both severe crop and building damage. Thinking of everyone that sustained crop and property damage due to the recent storms."

Southeast and East Central Iowa:

Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 10) and Josh Michel (Region 11): “This year unfortunately seems to be a repeat of what we experienced last year as far as rainfall goes in this part of the state - limited and very spotty. Most of SC Iowa has received approximately 50% or less of normal rainfall over the last 30 days. Although the corn and soybean crops are looking good despite the dry conditions, if these conditions continue things will start looking a lot different. On average, corn is around the V8 to V9 growth stage and soybeans average around the V5 growth stage. There are some soybean fields that are already flowering (R1). Pay close attention to crop growth stages, especially when making herbicide applications. Common questions over the past week included herbicide injury and herbicide carryover in corn and soybeans, yellow and uneven corn, and sulfur and potassium deficiency symptoms appearing on plants. In most of these cases the nutrient deficiencies aren’t true deficiencies, but they are related to environmental conditions and crop growth stages. Pastures and hay fields are looking pretty good, but could really benefit from some rainfall. With the first cutting of hay basically done, now is a good time to be scouting and keeping an eye out for potato leaf hoppers.”

Meaghan Anderson (Region 7): “Corn and soybeans are both taking off in east central Iowa, with corn anywhere from V7 to V12 or V13 and soybeans anywhere from VC to V4 or V5. Some of the earliest planted soybeans may even be starting to flower already. Several much needed rains brought moisture to east central IA last week but also brought unwelcome hail and wind with it in some cases. In particular, Tama County had fairly large hail last Wednesday night and early Thursday morning; now is a good time to evaluate those crops for recovery after that storm. ISU has great hail resources for corn and soybean for those who need them. Corn POST herbicide applications are mostly wrapped up and soybean POSTs are getting underway. Timely application to small weeds is key to getting good control, particularly of waterhemp. Recent phone calls have been continuing about yellow corn - compaction, dry soils, herbicide carryover, and flashing of sulfur deficiency continue to be the leading causes. Soybean calls are just beginning with three reports of plant growth regulator herbicide drift into soybeans and other phone calls on leaf feeding or herbicide carryover.”

Virgil Schmitt (Region 8): “During the last week we received very little rain in the southern counties while parts of Clinton and Jackson Counties received over six inches. Hay harvest is mostly complete. Corn is mostly in the V8 +/- 1 one leaf for growth stage. Rooting issues resulting in sulfur and potassium deficiency symptoms dominated calls last week. Herbicide injury is also present in some fields. Soybeans are mostly V2 +/1 one leaf and generally look good.”

Rainfall totals across the state of Iowa for the past 7 days have been spotty ranging from a few tenths to inches in some places. Source: http://www.weather.gov.